Bay deputy honored for saving man’s life

PANAMA CITY — The Bay County Sheriff’s Office has recognized one of its deputies whose quick response and use of an opiate-overdose neutralizer saved a life, according to a news release.

The incident happened Saturday when Deputy Chris Sammons was traveling along County 2321 and noticed a vehicle sitting on the side of the road. Sammons pulled over to offer assistance. Once closer, he noticed the driver was slumped forward in the seat and called out to the man, who did not respond. Sammons noted the man’s labored breathing and weak pulse, and radioed for EMS to respond, BCSO reported.

Deputy David Jones also responded and assessed the man, saying he believed the man had overdosed on drugs. The deputies did not smell alcohol and did not see any medical alert bracelets on the man but did note a plastic baggie of various pills in his lap, according to a BCSO news release. Sammons administered his department-issued Narcan Nasal Spray, used to counteract the effects of opioid overdose.

EMS arrived, and as the man was being loaded into the ambulance, he regained consciousness. He was transported to a local hospital for further medical treatment.